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Sep 14, 2026 |
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GOC Admin
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CHESS BOSS ASHLEY SALUTES GOC, NSA FOR LIFE-CHANGING UK LEADERSHIP TRAINING
ACCRA — Ghana Chess Association President and National Sports Authority Deputy Head of Marketing, Christiana Ashley, has returned home bubbling with fresh ideas and profound gratitude after undergoing a high-powered leadership transformation in the United Kingdom.
Mrs. Ashley was among an elite gathering of top-flight female sports administrators selected from across the globe for the prestigious 2026 Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA). Held from August 23 to 28 at the University of Chichester’s Bishop Otter Campus, the intensive programme was heavily backed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Women in Sports Commission, and our very own Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC).
Speaking on her return, a beaming Mrs. Ashley could not hide her appreciation for the local sporting authorities who made her UK journey possible, admitting that the transformational training completely overhauled her approach to sports administration.
"I am deeply grateful to everyone who believed in my potential and supported this opportunity," Mrs. Ashley stated. "Their investment in my development comes with a heavy responsibility, and I am committed to ensuring that the benefits extend far beyond me to touch the people, organisations, and sporting communities I serve."
The Academy took participants through rigorous sessions of self-discovery, leadership identity, vulnerability, and courageous decision-making. For the Ghanaian chess capo, it was an eye-opener that forced her to look way past institutional titles and examine the core essence of service.
"WSLA challenged me to look beyond the position I hold and to examine who I am as a leader, why I lead, how I lead and, most importantly, the impact I want my leadership to have on others," she revealed.
Sharing classrooms with diverse female administrators from various global sporting ecosystems offered her fresh lenses on tackling local challenges. Rated a solid nine out of ten in terms of satisfaction, she noted that the programme unlocked new levels of strategic thinking, communication skills, and professional networking.
Armed with international best practices, Mrs. Ashley has vowed not to let the knowledge gather dust on her office shelves. She intends to channel her newly acquired skills directly into her roles at the NSA and the Ghana Chess Association—with a sharp focus on grooming upcoming leaders, boosting stakeholder engagement, and pulling more women into sports governance.
"The true value of an opportunity such as WSLA is measured not only by what the participant gains, but by what is given back," she affirmed. "I am fully committed to ensuring that the knowledge, skills, and networks I have gained contribute to positive, lasting change within Ghanaian sport."
